A few years ago, Huron Pines staff realized the conservation organization's local partners needed more assistance and developed the Huron Pines AmeriCorps program.
As the program enters its fourth year, it has seen continued growth and interest in addition to receiving national recognition for its innovation and impact in communities across northern Michigan.
According to Casey Ressl, Huron Pines AmeriCorps coordinator, the program's inspiration came out of the realization that local partners needed more help in their conservation efforts. Huron Pines first applied for an AmeriCorps grant in 2006, but it was sent back for revisions. The organization applied again in 2007 and received the three-year grant. It's now into a new grant cycle.
Ressl said the program's purpose is to develop leaders in conservation and get more high-impact conservation work done in Northeast Michigan. Projects have included road/stream crossing inventories, restoring wildlife habitat, developing new programs and fostering environmental stewardship.
"It's a great opportunity for people who want to get involved in conservation and other people who are looking to strengthen their programs," she said.
AmeriCorps provides volunteer experience to individuals who apply to serve at different sites. Huron Pines has competitive applications for host sites twice a year. Sites are chosen that would host a member for 10 months and others are chosen to host a person for the field season, from May-October. The sites range from volunteer groups like Trout Unlimited to conservation districts, Ressl said.
There are currently two members, Harriet Smith and Scott Purdy, serving in Alpena, with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary being the host site. Smith is responsible for sanctuary volunteer recruitment and engagement while Purdy is primarily serving Michigan Sea Grant and working with the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.
The Presque Isle Conservation District is a host site for the first time this year. AmeriCorps member Elizabeth Stevens is acting as a stewardship coordinator with the district. She'll be responsible for duties including invasive species removal, environmental stewardship outreach and volunteer projects, Ressl said.
"We're working with the Presque Isle Conservation District because we have a lot of active projects up there right now," she said.
Ressl said they typically place 12-16 people each year, and this year there are eight people currently serving. There are members serving on the west side of the state, but the main focus is Huron Pines' 11-county coverage area.
Full-time members receive a living stipend of $11,800 and receive an education award of $5,350 at the end of their service, which can be applied to college tuition or paying off student loans. Half-time members receive a stipend of $6,245 and an education award of $2,675. Members also are eligible for health care while they're serving.
The program operates on a budget of about $300,000 each year. About half of the program's funding comes through the Corporation for National and Community Service, a quarter comes from host site fees and remaining is raised independently through foundations. Currently, the Huron Pines program is the only environmental AmeriCorps program in the state and the others primarily focus on health, education or tutoring, Ressl said.
Over the last three years, Ressl has been surprised at the interest the program has generated. She has been contacted by schools to find out when Huron Pines is recruiting for the next year and from other groups in Michigan or other states to find out how they can replicate Huron Pines' program. In the summer of 2010, the program was recognized by Innovations in Civic Participation and America's Service Commissions as one of the top 52 innovative AmeriCorps state programs across the country, she said.
"I've just been blown away with the unintended collaboration or the unforeseen networking opportunities from the AmeriCorps program," she said.
For more information about the Huron Pines AmeriCorps program, contact Ressl at 344-0753 ext. 30 and casey@huronpines.org or by visiting www.huronpines.org.
Patty Ramus can be reached via e-mail at pramus@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.